Bracey said while just one homicide is "one too many," it's important when talking about crime to look at the larger, societal picture.

There are some negative elements, no matter how hard you try, that will seemingly always be present in America's cities, Bracey said. There are issues of population density, poverty and joblessness.

There can be an issue, the mayor said, of hopelessness.

"Unfortunately we see it," she said. "It's almost a plague against minority men."

That said, Bracey pointed to positive elements in York, marshaling to fight crime.

Chief among those is the York City Police Department, a department the mayor said has continued to build bridges within the community.

"I'm super proud of the job they continue to do," she said. "I've seen more trust being afforded to the police."

But beyond the department, Bracey said she looks to citizens -- men like brothers Jerome and Bennie Carter -- to remind others how things can be in York city. Bracey said she can remember a time, growing up in the city, when people had more respect for their community, and for each other.

"Sometimes I think we have to shake some sense into the young people," she said. Then, after a pause, "We know there are bad people in any community who will do bad things. But the majority of people here are good. They're wonderful."

During the hours of budget hearings last fall, we heard a lot about looming deficits and pension obligations.

Bracey said the city is looking at internal cost-saving measures, as well as talking with nonprofits in the community about how all can work together more effectively. Part of the concern is a looming jump in pension obligations set for 2015, something the city's business administrator said could be a major strain on the city budget.

"Yes, 2015 is real," the mayor said.

Bracey said the city has reached out to local (non-taxable) churches, asking that they pay 25 percent of the taxes that otherwise would be owed on a such a property. Many have stepped up, she said.

Local businesses have pitched in, and Bracey said she continues to speak with legislators about what can be done at the state level to ease the city's financial burden.

"I try to make them understand we're all in this together," she said. "We, this city, simply cannot afford another tax increase."

What is the state of business today in the city, in particular in the downtown district? What would you like to see down there?

Bracey said the city continues to encourage businesses to explore York as a place to call home.

Yes, there have been some vacancies in recent months in downtown storefronts, but on balance business remains strong, she said. Several shops have moved from one city location to another, or continued a York-based business in other ways.

"But sure, anywhere there are vacant places, we'd like to fill them," she said.

The city offers its York Business Academy as a way to spur entrepreneurs forward toward their goals, Bracey said. And officials -- right up to the mayor herself, through the Merchant of the Month program -- try at every turn to be welcoming and open to business, she said.

"I always want to let them know, the mayor is proud to have them here," she said.

And Bracey said she's not above having a few dreams of her own.

Simply put: a Cheesecake Factory restaurant in the city.

"If I had that (feasibility) study in my hand, I'd take it there myself. I'd say, 'Here you go Mr. Cheesecake Factory, see you soon,'" she said with a laugh. "I dream big."

We often hear about what's wrong out there. Talk about what's right in the city, right now. Talk about the mayor's York city.

The people remain what's right with York city, Bracey said.

"There's a folksiness, a friendliness out there. It's there," she said. "We just need to recapture a little of that pride."

Bracey recalled growing up in York. She recalled neighbors' smiles and clean streets and the hope that came with high school days. She maintains that's still a part of the city.

York city boasts great restaurants, classic architecture and plenty of strong neighborhoods, the mayor said, to name a few things.

"I'm not naive enough to think I've done it all, by any means, and I'm not going to tell you it's perfect" she said. "But I believe in the city."

That's why city government tries to nurture neighborhood associations, and works to push forward housing initiatives, the mayor said.

"The neighborhoods are as important as downtown," she said.

And that's why, when Bracey is driving through the city and she sees someone on a stoop sweeping or cleaning up, she says she tries to stop.